Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner, Dr Helen Finlay, has publicly acknowledged shortcomings in the commission’s response to rising antisemitism, expressing regret for not taking a stronger and earlier stance on the issue. Dr Finlay, whose five-year term ends in November, issued a personal reflection and apology following an apology delivered at the National Council of Jewish Women Australia (NCJWA) conference on August 24.
In her statement, Dr Finlay admitted the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) was slow to confront antisemitism, particularly in the wake of a contentious anti-Israel rally held at the Sydney Opera House last year. During that protest, demonstrators burned an Israeli flag and chanted the phrase “where’s the Jews,” an event Dr Finlay described as a “red line” that should have elicited a more immediate and robust response from the commission.
“I have spent a lot of time reflecting on what I could have done differently,” Dr Finlay wrote. “My greatest regret is that I did not speak out earlier and more clearly about the rise in antisemitism.” She conceded that some members of the Jewish community may have lost faith in her office and the broader human rights framework due to the perceived delay in addressing these concerns, and offered a sincere apology.
Dr Finlay emphasized that confronting hatred requires decisive action from institutions and leaders, warning that failure to do so can have serious consequences. She stressed that the responsibility to tackle antisemitism does not rest solely with those directly affected, but must be a collective effort. “The burden of defending human rights should never fall solely on the people whose rights are directly under attack,” she said.
The AHRC has issued public statements condemning antisemitism since October 7 of last year. However, the commission has faced criticism from various quarters. Federal Liberal MP Julian Leeser accused the AHRC of being “frozen by political paralysis” amid a rise in antisemitic incidents. In late 2024, some AHRC staff reportedly raised internal concerns about the commission’s position on “Israeli war crimes,” which added to perceptions of inadequate action.
Over the past year, the AHRC has also focused on other human rights issues, including describing the native title system as “racially discriminatory” for Indigenous Australians, critiquing sexual harassment confidentiality laws, and issuing warnings regarding the potential human rights risks posed by artificial intelligence.
Despite the criticisms, NCJWA national president Lynda Ben-Menashe expressed appreciation for Dr Finlay’s candidness and reflection. “We were gratified at her clear understanding of the current situation for Jewish Australians,” Ben-Menashe said, highlighting the community’s gratitude for the commissioner’s honesty.
As Dr Finlay’s term concludes, her reflections underscore ongoing debates about the role and responsiveness of human rights institutions in addressing complex and evolving societal challenges such as antisemitism.